The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-04-14

/ BetGer years OI CyClo VI GStntyl
In Eastern lands, in the oldworld, the
rule is to refuse not hospitality to the
stranger; as the wanderer may be mes
senger from the most High. So with the
children. Properly care for them, for
they may be messengers from God, des-
tined to be blessing to kindred, country
and the world.
They are idols Of hearts and of households;
They are angels Of God in disguise;
His sunlight still sleeps in their tresses;
His glory still CLEANS in their eyes
Give to them the most favorable con-
ditions and surroundings. Develop their
physical, moral and intellectual natures,
and prepare them for useful career. We
take it that Education must be to pre-
pare for complete living" as, "in what
ever it is our duty to act, those matters
also it is our duty to study"
Little did parents and instructors OF
eminent and noble characters in the past
dream of the fame that awaited them.
Perhaps, indeed, these parents and in
structors would have picked out many
others as far more likely to attain dis
tinction.
Over hundred years ago a teacher,
Mr.. Murdoch, tells us he would have
picked out Gilbert rather than Robert as
likely to become the distinguishedau author
and poet And but for the gifted, native
genius of Robert Burns, the world would
never have heard of his brother Gilbert,
nor of Murdoch Mr.. Murdoch knew not
the Jewel he had in charge Hence in
this connection the importance ofgeneral
education The eminent, the disting-
uished the benefactors among men have
by no means generally been from among
those nurtured in wealth and luxury. The
Savior himself was the carpenters son.
General education needs no vindica-
ton or orargument here. Public sentiment
is fixed therein. All realize that to the
want of education are to be attributed
much of the crime and pauperism so in
furious to individuals and so expensive
and dangerous to society. Sound and
general education expands and enlarges,
drives away the darkness of ignorance,
baneful superstitions and narrow pref
udices. And let us add with Sir John
Observation-Disclosures can neither be
adequately cultivated, nor adequately en-
ioyed by few. knowledge is not, like
food, destroyed by use, but rather aug
mented and perfected"
In the British Parliament, some years
ago, when common school measure was
up, a member of the aristocracy denoun-
ced these common schools as goddess He
was asked to describe the religious edu-
cation which the nobility of England re.
ceived at Oxford and Cambridge, and
give true account of its godly effects. 1t
is needless to say this was not attempted.
John Milton in his tractate on educa-
ton, says: II call therefore, a complete
and generous education, that which fitsa
man to perform justly, skilfully, and mag
unanimously all the offices, both private
and public, of peace and war"
Spacious, commodiousandg grand school
buildings are source of satisfaction, not
to say of p ide; but something else is
necessary to give us good schools. In this
the good teacher is absolutely indispens-
ible. Wisdom's walks must be made
pleasing and attractive the pupils aided
in their work, obstacles removed, or the
pupils shown how to remove them, other
wise difficulties accumulate and multiply,
until disgusted with school, teacher,
books and learning, all is abandoned, per-
haps forever. Truly, responsible mis-
sion is that of the teacher.
Good schools, Of high character, ex-
listed before to-day. Parents in all ages,
in civilized countries, have taken interest
in their offspring; and where they could
afford it, have seen to their education.
The extant writings of eminent authors !;
the researches in Egypt and elsewhere,
show that thousands of years age people
were well and classiCally educated. An
Cient Athens had for centuries thousands
of students from all parts getting instruc-
ton from her eminent teachers. Alex
andria in the early centuries of the Chris
tian era, and before, was centre of at
traction and learning; her ext, nsive and
valuable library bringing fifteen to twen-
ty thousand students. A thousand years
ago, or more, the Arabs had various seats
of learning, and well attended three OF
them in Spain. About the 9th century,
grew up schools around cathedrals and
converts in Italy, France and elsewhere,
taking the place OF the Roman imperial
schools.
Late researches in England show that
seven or eight hundred years ago much
greater proportion of the people could
read and write than has generally been
supposed. While we claim credit for
ourselves, let us do justice to our ances.
tors. There were brave men before Age
mennon said the Greeks, and there have
been authors in the past the value of
whose immortal works is yet appreciated.
This human family is a continuation and
we read there is nothing new under the
sun.
Born with thesame faculties; surround
ed by similar conditions; dependent up
on mother earth for existence, and every
value, man is the same in most respects
in all ages IL our land we realize more
and more that knowledge is necessary as
light, and promises to be common as
water and free as air, and as light has no
color, water no taste, and air no odor. 50
should knowledge be equally pure and
unadulterated through prejudice or slav-
ish and narrow custom.
Our system Of City Schools contem-
plates that the poor mans offspring shall
have equal opportunities with the chill.
dren of the wealthy, and receive a liberal
education. Our High School is an acad-
emy in which the higher branches, the
physical sciences, and the languages are
taught. A pupil graduated from the High
School, is ready to study profession, OF
engage in business; or if in love with
learning, the graduate can enter college
and advance further. The regret ia that
80 few in Canton, go through the regular
course, especially our male youth. 1t is
defect that should be remedied with all
reasonable dispatch. Let teachers de
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